Chapter 339

"May I ask the Commandant, where is Wang Gai now?" Duan Yu asked, frowning and getting straight to the point.

Guo Hong's smile remained kind, and he did not immediately answer Duan Yu's question, instead summoning an attendant.

"Someone, serve tea to the Marquis of Guo."

"Since this is the Marquis of Guo's first time in Luoyang and his first time at the Commandant's office, you might as well sit for a while."

Guo Hong made a gesture of invitation toward Duan Yu.

Duan Yu glanced at the side table and seat, then took a deep breath to calm his mood.

The Yingchuan Guo clan, though not as prominent as the four great clans of Yingchuan.

Was still among the very top tier of clans.

It was absolutely at the peak of the second tier of Yingchuan clans.

Second only to the Xun, Chen, Zhong, and Han clans.

If one ignored academics and looked at political influence, the Guo clan was even stronger than the Chen clan.

Seven Commandants in three generations—the weight of that needs no explanation.

And Guo Hong, being able to serve as Commandant, was certainly no fool.

Naturally, he could not be unaware of the reason for Duan Yu's visit.

Guo Hong said with a smile, "It is truly better to see once than to hear a hundred times. The Marquis of Guo is now famous in Luoyang, which truly makes others envious."

"Now, all of Luoyang is spreading rumors that the Marquis of Guo is the number one person of the Han's younger generation."

"Even surpassing Yuan Shu."

"I also heard about the night the Marquis of Guo threw three times and hit three times at the gambling den, suppressing the Tiger Guard Commandant."

As Guo Hong spoke, he stroked his beard.

Just as Guo Hong was speaking, a fair-skinned, thin young attendant wearing a black long-sleeved robe arrived in front of Duan Yu with a tray.

A pair of eyes looked at Duan Yu carefully.

Full of curiosity.

"Haha," Guo Hong laughed loudly and said, "Fengxiao, this is the Marquis of Guo, Duan Yu. Didn't you say you always wanted to meet him?"

"Marquis of Guo, this is my young clansman, Guo Jia, courtesy name Fengxiao."

Hm?

Duan Yu was stunned for a moment.

He looked at the fair-skinned youth standing before him.

The youth looked about fourteen or fifteen, with a fair complexion and wearing a black robe.

His build was somewhat thin.

He had not yet reached adulthood, and his black hair was simply combed behind him.

Guo Jia!

Guo Fengxiao!

Duan Yu could not help but be surprised.

He did not expect Guo Jia to be here at this time.

Looking at Guo Jia, who was looking at him with curiosity.

Duan Yu even had the thought of wanting to whisk him away.

However...

It seems this guy is still a bit young right now.

Guo Jia's defection to Cao Cao was something that happened after he was twenty.

"Hello," Duan Yu smiled at Guo Jia and said, "My name is Duan Yu, courtesy name Ziyi."

Only then did Guo Jia recover from his curiosity, then cupped his hands and bowed: "Guo Jia has met the Marquis of Guo."

After a simple greeting, Guo Hong waved at Guo Jia.

"Fengxiao, come over here."

"I have something to discuss with the Marquis of Guo," Guo Hong said.

Guo Jia nodded, and after bowing, returned to Guo Hong's side and stood there obediently.

"Marquis of Guo, to be honest, I naturally know the reason for your visit," Guo Hong said, still smiling. "As for why I didn't notify you when interrogating Wang Gai, I actually did it on purpose."

"Marquis of Guo, no need to be angry yet," Guo Hong said, pressing his hand down with a smile. "I know you are a tiger general of this age; even overturning my Commandant's office would be very simple."

Duan Yu did not respond, but quietly listened to Guo Hong's words.

He and Guo Hong had no past grievances or recent grudges; it was even their first meeting.

Guo Hong naturally could not be intentionally making things difficult for him or anything else.

The two families had no conflict of interest either.

But Guo Hong releasing Wang Gai must have had another reason.

"The Marquis of Guo has not been an official for long, but you are a smart person."

"In the way of being an official, if you do not accumulate goodness, you cannot travel a thousand miles," Guo Hong said, stroking his beard. "The Marquis of Guo is young and promising; you naturally do not lack friends around you."

"The way of goodness is the way of making friends; only with enough friends around you can they help you when you are in difficulty."

"Only then can you go far."

"I wonder if the Marquis of Guo agrees with what I said?"

Duan Yu nodded slightly.

In officialdom, besides ability, what matters is connections.

Unless you are the Emperor, whether you are one of the Three Excellencies, one of the Nine Ministers, or a regional Inspector or Administrator, your fate is ultimately held in the hands of others.

Unless the merits you established on your path as an official are heaven-reaching.

Like his merit this time in capturing Yufuluo and Huchuquan, and shooting the Xianbei Chanyu Kuitou.

Because such merit cannot be covered up.

It can only reach the ears of the Emperor.

But there are tens of thousands of Han officials; how many can establish such merit?

Most have to grind away in their posts, grinding for political achievements, grinding until the time is up.

If you have many friends, if you have connections.

Then when your term ends, or when there is a vacancy, someone will think of you.

Just like his father-in-law, Dong Zhuo.

The reason he could be appointed Inspector of Bingzhou and promoted to Administrator of Hedong Commandery was because of Yuan Kui's recommendation.

But without Yuan Kui's recommendation.

Wanting to be promoted is basically impossible.